Loose-leaf binder



Dec. 19, 1944. A. M. MARTIN LOOSE LEAF BINDER Original Filed May 51, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 19, 1944. A. M. MARTIN LOOSE LEAF BINDER l Original Filed May 31, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19, 1944. A M MARTIN i 2,365,643

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Original Filed Mayv 3l. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 il? f Patented Dec. 19, 1944 Alfred M. Martin, Park Ridge, Ill.

Original application May 31, 1940, Serial No. 338,063. Divided and this application October 2, 1941, Serial No. 413,344

`19 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders of the staggered prong type having a pair of oppo- (Cl. 12S-17) stely disposed angularly opening prong-holding parts for carrying loose leaves in echelons, one margin of each leaf in a series being exposed for visibility of data or the like thereon and another margin transverse to the iirst mentioned margin having a series of equally spaced perforations therein.

The invention is especially adapted for binders oi this class in which the prong-holding parts are relatively shiftable for maneuvering the leaves to remove or insert a leaf in proper position in echelon. Y l Y Among other objects, the invention aims to provide an improved binder of this type having enhanced flexibility of function and purpose, together with relative simplicity of structure and operation. t

More particularly this and other objects and advantages will be apparentfrom the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan view of a binder illustrating my present invention and showing the toggle parts in half-open position, the covers being broken away to save space and showing, by broken lines, two alternate selective longitudinal shifted positions of the binder parts indicated;

Figure la is a greatly reduced plan View of the l binder of lFigure 1 showing account loose leaves or the like held therein;

Figure 2 is a bottom View of parts of the binder shown in Figure 1, and being a section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure' on a slightly reduced scale with the covers omitted;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of locking members shown in Figure 3 with parts in changed position;

Figure 5 is a cross-section of the binder similar to Figure 6 but showing the toggle lparts in fully closed position `and omitting the binder back finishing material;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line -G of Figure l; l l

Figure '7 is a View of parts shown in Figure 6 in an alternative position as when the partially open locking mechanism is being released;

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figures 5 and 6, ihut showingthe toggle parts in fully open posiion; i y Figure 9 is a iragmentaryplan section on the line 9-9 of Figure i on a slightly reduced scale omitting the back finishing material and showing, by broken lines, one longitudinal selective position of the binder parts;

' Figure 10 is a perspective view of half-open locking parts; and

Figure 1l is a View similanto Figure 9 but showing an alternative longitudinal selective position of the parts. y

Referring in detail tothe illustrative construction shown in the drawings, the two-part toggle device represented by the toggle parts I2 and I3, connected by a central hinge I4, is supported by the two-part binder back represented by the back sections I5 and IE, as. on side hinges II t tively, these base portions being at right-anglesv to theupright portions and lapping each other to be movable into moreor less lapping relation as the toggle device is opened or closed.

These parts are advantageously of metal but each of the binder back portions I9, 2I and 2li, 22 is desirably faced where it would contact a desir` or table top, with a non-metallic finishing `23 and 24 respectively to prevent scratching. The usual covers 25 and 26 which may also be of metal but -desirably finished with a non-metallic material similar to the finishing 23, 24, but not here shown, are preferably hinged to the toggle device parts I2 and I3 respectively as by the hinges 2l and 28.

It will be understood that the hinges Il, I8, 21 and 28 comprise the usual aligned hinge sleeves on the binder parts through which sleeves are passed the usual hinge rods, and, in accordance with the present invention, the central hinge I4 for the toggle parts I2 and I3 similarly comprises the hinge rod 29 which passes through aligned hinge sleeves 3U on the toggle part I2 and 3| on the toggle part I 3. These aligned hinge sleevesi and 3l, however, unlike the sleeves of the other hinges mentioned, are spaced apart on the hinge rod 29 so that each of the hinge sleeves 3l is spaced an equal distance from the adjacent hinge sleeves 3D, leaving the spaces 32 therebetween at each end of each of the hinge sleeves 3I, so that the toggle part i3 may shift longitudinally when the binder is partially or fully open, a distance in either direction from the normal opposed position of the toggle parts as shown in full lines in Figure 1, either to the distant shift position shown as at 33 in broken lines or to the proximate shift position shown at 34 in broken lines, without longitudinal movement of the toggle part I2.

To accommodate this shift in either longitudinal direction, the usual opposed staggered prongs, a series of vwliich 35 are :carried by the toggle part I2 Vand another series of which 35 are carried by the toggle part I 3, are normally spaced apart at equal distances throughout the binder as shown in Figure 1, the normal distance '.between a prong 35 and a prong 36 being twice the distance (or a multiple thereof) between'two o'f the leaf perforations IUI, measured Afrom centerl to center, and also to accommodate .tliispossible shift in either longitudinal direction of the toggle part I3, the horizontal portion 22 of the binder back part I5 which carries the toggle part 'I 3 has .less length than .the horizontal I.portion 12| of -the binder .back part J5 .and is :normally .centered longitudinally of the portion .2.I so .thatas shown in Figure 9 when the binder .is in the position .shown .in Figurel with .the toggle parts in normally opposed position there isfa space 3l ateach .end .of .the .back portion22 .having .a longitudinal distance .the same l.as the spaces .32 .on .thecenter hinge I4, and which space 3l may .betakenup-.by the back portion 22 when the togglepart 1.3 and itssupportingback part :I6 is shifted to the proximate vlongitudinally .shifted position Vshown in ,broken .lines at 34, for example so Athat a .prong 36 now occupies a position half way vbetween its normal position and a nextadjacent prong 35, or the distance between .leaf perforations (Fig. 1). Movement in the opposite .longitudinal .direction vas indicated by rthe broken lines .33 .is .reciprocal to that shown Vin Figure 9, and'is as .shown in Figurel1and`Figure 1. y

'.To assist in guiding the 'back portion 22 in 'both its transverse and longitudinal slidable movements withrespect .to the'backpart 2| ,to accommodate relative movement of the toggle deviceparts either into more or less overlapping 4 position of the prongs'35 and36, or in longitudinal shift vrelative movement of the toggle parts, `the binder back Aportion `2| `may carry at each lenda'plate38 welded as at 39 tothe binder back yportion `2I 'but inwardly offset therefrom as at 4Il-along a line defining the space 3'Iand receivingbetwen it and the `main lback portion 2| vthe lapping back portion l`22. For convenience in construction, this latter portion 22 may be Vformed separately of the back Vportion 20 and may be welded thereto as at 4I, the back portion 20 having a `short horizontal yextension 42 for this purpose, the latter also serving to elevate `.the portion 22 slightly above the 'portion 2l lso that Y'these two parts are 'relatively movable Iin parallel adjacent planes. As .will be seen from .the drawings, the .lapping back Aportions 2| and 22 -have not only relative longitudinal movement but also .relative transverse movement, to ac- .commodate openingand elosingxof `the toggle device, to 'greater or .less :overlapping relationship, .the-overlapping of these parts being iat its -minimum as shown in .Figures 6, 9 and .11 when .the toggle device is in half-open position.

As .shown in the .drawings and 4in accordance with standard practice, the toggle device parts '1.2 and I3 `eachcomprise a plate bent along longitudinal lines 4,somewhat in `theform of a chair, and ,having a irontportion '.43 which carries the hinge sleeves 30 or '3| as the case may be, ,a seat portion 4`4 and aback portion 45, to which latter box-like character.

2,6 .respectively,and this yplate is desirably continued downwardly parallel with the yfrom; portion 43 so as to provide a box formation for the 'toggle parts, turned down portions 48 of the .toggle .parts at each end further defining their Another hinge plate 49 welded to the hinge plate 41 carries the toggle part sleeves for Athe vhinge I'I or I8 as the case maybe, the .other :sleeves for these hinges being `carried .by .the .upright portions I 9 or 20 of the 'back parts I5 or I6, as the case may be. The covers, being hinged to the toggle device apart .from .the hinges of the toggle device to the back sections, desirably cause some of the weight of 'the covers and leaves thereon to tend to maintain the toggle device in equilibrium in halfopen position.

As clearly shownin the drawings, the standard toggle portions and 46 lare here, adjacent the hinges 21 and 28, serviceably and uniquely extended outwardly beyond the hinge so that when the covers are brought toward each other to close the binder, the toggle ,parts tend to be fulcrumed downwardly so as to move the prongs toward each other also into closed position to guard against spilling of the sheets.

When the binder back is in fully closed position ras indicated lin Figures 2 and "5, the parts are releasab'ly so maintained by fully closed locking mechanism, including a hook 56 desirably one at Aeach end of the binder, suitably secured within the boxing of the toggle part I 2, and projectingtherefrom through an aperture v5I in 'the portion 43 of the toggle partto be received through another aperture 52 inthe portion 43 of the other toggle part I3 where the hook is engaged ,by a catch bar 53 (Fig. 24) this bar being spring-pressed into locking position by the coil :compression spring 54and being'movable against the Vforce of this spring to Areceive the hook under the influence of the `cam nose 55 of the hook. The bars 53, one at each end of the binder, are desirably angled along 4a longitudinal line to slide yin the corner between the inner `faces of the toggle portions 43 and `44 of the toggle part I3, and are cut away as at '52a therein to register :more-or less'with the apertures 52. For common movement the catch bars .53 maybe connected by a strap 56 as by spot-welding .51, and one of the bars, in this instance vthe proximate one i`n Figure 1, is conveniently extended .beyond the end ofthe toggle parts .in `a'thumbspiece 58 which moves `with thetoggle part I3, the .spring 54 and the release thumb-piece 58 thus serving both of .the .bars as a unit, fclips 53aguiding the locking bars 53 in their slidingmovement.

In accordance with the present invention, .in addition to the fully closed locking mechanism just described, I provide partially open locking means for the toggle device including la vbridge member 59 on .one of the toggle parts, in this instance the toggle part I 2, the bridge member having a locking .lip 60 engageable with a latch 6l on the other toggle part, this latch being so constructed and .arranged .as to yield in the direction of pull of the bridge member 59 (Figure 7) when release means is actuated, which pull will occur whenit is desired to open the toggle parts from the partially or half-open position `shown in Figure 6 to thefully open position shown in Figure 8. The latch 6I is floatingly carried by a rest piece 63, in this instance desirably inthe form f a channel. The latch 6I is position as shown in Figure 7. The latch whether under the iniluenceof the detent 62 or not, is continuously pressed upon by a leaf spring 66 restores the latch to upright position, as shown in Figure 8, for example, as soon as pull on the latch ceases. The thumb-piece 58 may conveniently actuate not only the catch bars 53 for the fully closed Vlocking, mechanism but also the detent 62, as by having the detent :formed integrally with a strip 61 secured at 68 as by spot-welding 68a to the catch bar connecting strap 56.` The leai` spring 66 is desirably welded as at 69 directly to the inner face of the portion 43 of the toggle part I3, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3, so as to beindependent of the strap 56. l As best shown in Figure 10, the channel member 63 has a pair of upper walls 'I9 which overhangingly abut shoulders 1I on the lower end 64 of the latch 6I, thus floatingly retaining the latch in the channel, and these walls 'I0 may also be employed to spot-weld the channel member to the inner face of the portion 44 of the toggle part I3 in the corner wherethis portion adjoins the portion 43, a lateral wall 'I2 of the channel member being welded to the portion 43 at this point so that the upper end of the latch 6I may protrude through an elongated slot I3 in the toggle portion 44 to engage vthe, lip 60 of the locking bridge 59 carried bythe other toggle part.

The bridge member 59 may be carried by the togglepart I2 as by lingers 'I4 at the end of the bridge member opposite the lip 6I) and which iingers pass loosely through apertures in the toggle portion 44, and are then turned upward slightly thereunder as at 1,6. Between the ngers 'I4 is a tail 'I'I which passes through an aper- .ture 'I8 in the toggle portion 44 and is perforated as at I9 to receive one end of a wire reed spring.

8U, the other end of which is anchored by a plate 8| on the inner face of the toggle portion 44 asby spot-welding 82.

The bridge member 59 is thus spring-pressed toward the latch 6I so that its lip 6I) will tend to engage the latch when the other` parts are in proper position therefor, and also so as to permit the lip 6U to be resiliently cammed over the edge of the latch 6I, the reed spring 80 yielding momentarily for this purpose, the bridge member being desirably angled as at 83 so that in movthe spring 66) in the direction of the pull of the bridge, the lip then slipping away from the latch.

When the toggle parts are in half-,open position, as shown in Figure 6, and when the toggle parts are in normal opposite relationship as shown in Figure 1, these parts are also locked against relative longitudinal movement by interengaging means on the bridge member and latch, represented in this instance by lugs 84 in the form of spaced apart strips welded to the under face of the bridge member and angular at their outer ends to lap and be substantially co-terminous with the lip 60. The distance between the lugs 84 is just slightly greater than the dimension, longitudinally of the binder back, of the upper end of the latch 6I, so that in the position of the parts last mentioned, the latch is abutted at each end by the lugs 84 which thus inhibit relative longitudinal movement. of the toggle parts. The parts shown in Figure 10 are desirably case-hardened to minimize wear therebetween, and particularly where the upper corners of the latch engage the lugs, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. i

When, now, the half-opening locking mechanism is released by pressing the thumb-piece 58, the prongs may be spread apart to fully open position as in Figure 8, andthe toggle part I3 may 'then be shifted longitudinally of the toggle part I2 in either direction, as already described. Assuming that the toggle part I3 has been shifted to its distant longitudinal position as shown in broken lines at 33, Figure 1, the toggle parts may be brought again together into half-open position as shown in Figure 6 with the toggle part I3 still in longitudinally shifted position, the bridge 59 again engaging the latch 6I but, as best shown in Figure 10, with one of the lugs 84 riding on the latch. Thus the toggle parts are locked against further opening movement but are not'locked against reverse longitudinal movement of the toggle part I3 to return the toggle parts to normal opposed position in the binder back as shown in Figure 1. In this movement the lug 84 and vlip 60 ride together on the latch edge until the latch is centered between the lugs 84, whereupon the reed spring 8|] urges the lip 60 directly into engagement with the latch between the lugs, the space between the lugs thus providing a notch for the reception of the latch.

The portions 86 and 81 of the binder back finishing 23 and 24 which lap the binder back portions 2I and 22 respectively guard against scratching of the desk or otherV table top during manipulation of the binder through the various ing the prong-holding parts toward each other from the position shown in Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 6 the lip of the bridge lwill first strike the latch and ride thereover into locking position, and will then lock the toggle parts against movement back to the position shown in Figure 8, unless and until the thumb-piece; .58 be pressed to cause the detent 62 to move in the channel 63 away from abutment with the lower end 64 of the latch 6I as in Figure 2, and to the position shown in Figure 4, so that the latch can rotate as shown in Figure "I to permit its upper end to yield (but under the iniluence of relative positions of the binder back parts, and at the same time the overlapping character, of the binder backv portions 2| and 22 minimizes undesirable open spaces between the binder back parts when these parts are spread apart to maximum spread apart position, as shown in Figures 6, 9 and 11. only a relatively small gap 88 occurring at each end. of the binder in themaximum spread apart condition of the parts and no space at all in the closed position of the binder back shown in Figure 5. Also the uninterrupted outer face of the binder back portion 2| affords a relatively large usable area for the placement of a label or other informative insignia, referring as, for example, to the nature of the contents of a particular binder.

Advantageous operation of the binder is as follows:

The binder back may be laid on a desk or other table top as shown in cross-section in Figure *5, and the covers opened to the positions indicated, at which time the binder may be used -like an ordinary book, account leaves or 'the like 4200 (Figure la) being heldin the binder in echelons with exposed margins steppedly Aarranged longitudinally of the binder back by the prongs 35 and 36, the leaves being impaled thereon 'through perforations in their other margins .for this purpose in a well known manner .not necessary to be here further described.

Unlocking ofthe toggle parts from fully closed position as shown in Figure 5 is effected bypressling the thumb-piece 58 to release the hooks 150 from the catch bars 53. As is also well known `and need not be further described, if it bel desired to make manual entries on the leaves, the toggle device may be opened to half-open position, as shown in Figures 1, la. and 6, soas to cause the leaves to lie atter, and thereupon the leaves -on the left-hand Side ofthe binder will be held by the prongs 35,` and the leaves on 'the' right-hand side of the binder Will be held "by the prongs`36, but thse prongs being staggeredly overlapped for swinging the leaves thereon.

If now it be desired to insert an additional leaf in its proper place in echelon, some of the leaves on the right-hand side of the binder next adjacent to the position which the additional leaf is intended to occupy, are swung to the left-hand side of the binder. Then the half-open locking mechanism is unlocked by again `pressing Aon the thumb-piece to release the latch TGI from the locking lip '6U of the bridge 59, which permits the prongs to 'spread apart 'to the position shown in Figure8. 'Then the additional leaf is inserted on the prongs 36 in proper place in echelon, then the toggle part I3 is shifted longitudinally to its distant shifted position as indicated in broken lines lat 33, Figure 1. Then the prongs are brought again into overlapping position by moving the toggle parts I2 and I3 toward each other whereupon the half-open locking mechanism including the latch *6I and lip 60 will again engage to hold the prongs in the overlapped position shown in Figure 6, At this time, since the toggle part I3 is'still in longitudinally shifted position as indicated by the broken lines 33, the engagement of 'the latch 6I with the locking lip 60 will be as shown in Figure 10 in which the lip 60 is riding on the latch 6I through the intermediation of one of the lugs 84. The toggle parts are thus locked against relative rotative movement which might permit the prongs to separate from overlapped position, but the toggle parts are not locked against relative longitudinal movement. Next the leaves which had been swung to the left-hand side of the binder are swung back to the right-hand side while the toggle part I3 is still in shifted position as shown at 33. Next the toggle part I3 is shifted longitudinally back to normal opposite position "with respect to the toggle part I2 as indicated in full lines in Figure '1, the latch 6I thereupon riding off of the lug84 and into the notch 85 between the two lugs 84 and locking the `toggle parts both against vrelative rotative movement which would permit the prongs to separate, and against vlongitudinal shifting movement, which might displace the leaves from their proper positions'in echelon. The additional leaf is now located in its proper position. y

Conversely, if it be desired to remove a leaf, the binder back being again in the position 4shown in Figures 1, 1a and 6, A'the leaves on the right- `hand side ofvthebincler :next adjacentfthe leaf to be removed, are swung to the left-hand sldevof the binder, the thumb-piece pressed to release the `half-open locking mechanisman'd to permit the prongs to separate, the leaf to be removed taken off the right-hand side Vof the binder, the toggle part I3 shifted longitudinally ibut this time 'to vproximate shifted position, `as indicated in broken vlines 3l, Figure '1, the prongs brought together into overlapping position byrotating the toggleparts to again lock the half-open locking mechanism (at which time the latchf'l rides on the lip 160' through the intermediation of the 'other lug 84 opposite to the one shown Iengaged with it in Figure rl0) the leaves vwhich 'fhadbeen swung to the left-hand side of vthe Vbinder-are swung back to the right-hand side of 'the binder, "and the toggle part I3 shifted back to normal opposite relation with the toggle part I2, whereupon 'the latch 6I again slips into `the notch 85 to hold the toggle 'parts against "both relative rotative separating movement and relative longitudinal shifting movement. It will be noted that the longitudinal shift of the 'binder 'part I3 in either direction is to adistance lwhereby a leaf in said series of leaves IUD say, may be shifted longitudinally of the binder a distance substantially equal to its exposed margin to insert Ior remove a leaf intermedially in the series.

It will be understood that during the longitudinal shifting `movements ofthe toggle part 'I3 as just described, the binder back part I6 and cover 26 move with the toggle part I 3 as 'are also shown in .broken lines in Figure 1 at 33 and 34 respectively, showing the alternate selective shiftable positions and as shown in broken lines in Figure 9 and in full lines vin Figure 1l.

Since the latch 6| yields when released as described in the direction of pull of the bridge member 59, the weight of the leaves in the binder, which it will be understood is considerable when the binder is fully loaded, is prevented from placing a tension upon locking parts 60 and 6I which has been `found in `prior locking devices to `make difficult the release of the locking mechanism.

The importance of the features of simplicity of structure and ease of operation vof the present binder will be appreciated when it is understood that binders of this type are commonly made in' large sizes and are most frequently 4handled and used by young women clerks.

Manifestly, the invention is not limited 'to details of construction shown for purposes of ex'- emplication. Furthermore, it is not lessential that all features of the invention be used ,conjointly, as various combinations and sub-com binations may be advantageously employed. This application is a division of my co-peding application Serial No. 338,063, led May'31, 1940, since matured into Patent No. 2,282,976, dated May 12, 1942.

'Having described my invention,I'claim:

l. 'In a loose leaf 'binder having apair vof oppo sitely disposed angula'rlyY opening prong-holding parts, the combination of means for guiding one of the parts for movement longitudinally with respect to the other part in either direction from the normal oppositely disposed position, partially open 4locking mechanism for the parts comprising a'bridge on one of the parts 'having a locking lip and a latch on the other part, the latch and bridge `being relatively slidable with the parts, -a central notch'in `the bridge receiving the latch to inhibit said longitudinal movement of the parte,

l 2,365,643 yielding means urging the latch into the noten;

and selectively yieldable means restraining movement of the latch in the direction of the pull of the bridge.

2. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposed Vangularly opening prong-'holding parts, the combination of means for guiding one of the parts for movement longitudinally with respect to the other part in either direction from the normal oppositely disposed position, partially open locking mechanism for the parts comprising a locking bridge on one of the parts having a locking lip and a latch on` the other part, the

latch and lock-ing bridge being relatively slidable with the parts, a central notch in the bridge receiving the latch to inhibit said longitudinal movement of the members, and yielding means urging the bridge ,and latch together.

3. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposedy angularly opening prong-holding parts, the combination of means for guiding one of the parts for movement longitudinally with respect to the other from the normal oppositely disposed position,` partially open locking mechanism for the parts comprising a bridge on one of the parts having a locking lip and a latch on the other part, the latch and bridge being relatively slidable with the parts, a lug on the bridge adapted tohave longitudinal abutment with the latch to inhibit said relative longitudinal movement of the parts in one direction, means preventing said relative movement in the opposite direction, yielding means urging the bridge toward the latch, and selectively yieldable means restraining movement of the latch inthe direction of the pull of the lip.

(l. In a loose leaf binder having opposed angu larly opening prong-holding parts, locking mech,e

anism for limiting said opening comprising a bridge on one of the parts having a locking lip and a latch on the other part having itsupper end engageable with the lip, a channel, the latch having an enlarged lower end and the channel having overhanging shoulders engaging said enlarged lower end, a leaf spring having its free end within the channel pressing the lower endv of the latch against the channel wall but yieldingly permitting rotation of thelatch on the channel edge between said shoulders, a detent slidable A lengthwise into the channel somewhat snuglyA between the latch and the opposite channel wall to positively inhibit said rotation, a spring retracted release bar Vfor sliding the detent out of the channel, and yieldingmeans urging lthe bridge toward the latch, whereby thelatch yields while under the influence of said leaf spring in the direction of pull of the bridge when the detent is moved from between the latch and the opposite Wall of the channel.

` 5. In a loose leaf binder having opposed angularly opening prong-holding parts, locking mechanism for limiting said opening comprising a bridge on one of the parts having a locking' lipY and a latch on the other part engageable therewith, a channel, the latch having an enlarged lower end andthe channel having overhanging shoulders engaging said enlarged lower end, a spring pressing the lowerend of the latch against the channel wall but yieldingly permitting rotation of the latch on the channel edge between said shoulders, a detent slidable into the channel to positivelyinhibit said rotation, a release bar for sliding the detent out of the channel, whereby the latch yields while under the influence of said spring in the direction of pull of the bridge when the detent is moved from between the latch and the opposite wall of the channel.

6. In a loose leaf binder having opposed angularly opening prong-holding parts, locking mechanism for limiting said opening comprising a bridge on one oi the parts having a locking lip and a latch on the other part having its upper end engageable therewith, a rest piece floatingly holding the lower end of the latch, a spring pressing the lower end of the latch against the pull of the lip but yieldingly permitting rotation of the latch in the direction of said pull, a detent movable to positively inhibit said rotation, and a release bar for selectively moving the detent away from the latch.

.7. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with,

a two-part prong-holding device, of partially open between, said hinge comprising longitudinally spaced apart hinge sleeves on one of the parts and aligned longitudinally spaced apart hinge sleeves on the other part, each of the last mentioned hinge sleeves being longitudinally spaced at each its ends from the next adjacent hinge sleeves of the first mentioned part, a hinge rod passing through the aligned hinge sleeves whereby one of the `parts may be shifted a limited distance in one direction longitudinally of the other from the normal opposed position of the parts, and partially angularly open locking means for the parts including a bridge on one of the parts and a latch on the other part engageable bythe bridge, said bridge carrying a lip and a lug at an end thereof for engagement with the latch for inhibiting said shifting when the parts are' in normal oppositely disposed position and the binder back is in partially open position but permitting said shifting When the parts are out of normal oppositely disposed position, said lip also releasably limiting opening movement of the parts. l

9. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposed relatively opening prong-holde with respect to the other, of partially open selectively releasable locking mechanism for the parts comprising a member on one of the parts engageable with another member on the other part, the

said members being relatively slidable while inhibiting further opening movement of the parts when sliding from other than normal oppositely disposed position to normal oppositely disposed position, and interengaging means. between the members inhibiting said longitudinal movement of the parts when the parts are in normal oppositely disposed position.

10. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposed relatively opening prong-holding parts, the combination with means for guid` ing one of the parts for movement longitudinally in either direction with respect to the other, of a partially open locking mechanism for the parts comprising a member on `one of the parts having locking engagement with another member on the other part, the said members being relatively slidable longitudinally with the prong holding parts while inhibiting further opening movement of the prong holding parts whensliding from other than normal oppositely ldisposed position to normal oppositely disposed position, and inter-` engaging means between the members including spaced apart portions on one of the members providing a notch therebetween and a portion on the other of said members adapted to be received in said notch when the members are in normal oppositely disposed position toV prevent relative longitudinal movement, said notch being open laterally whereby the prong holding parts may be closed when ther parts are in said normal oppositely disposed position. l

11. In a loose leaf binder having av pair of oppositely disposed angularly opening prongfhold-` ing parts, the combination of means for guiding one of the parts for movementv longitudinally with respect tothe other from the normal oppositely disposed position., partially open looking mechanism' for the parts comprising, a bridge on` one of the parts having a locking lip and a latch on the other part, a lug disposed transversely at one emi Qf the brge 91nd tuflled.; dQWIlWarldlY 150 134D the inner face of said lip, spring means urging the` latch and bridge together, the said lug being inlo'ngltudinal abutment with the latch when the parts are in normal oppositely disposed position and partially open, means for elevating the bridge against the action of said spring to take the lug out of longitudinal abutment with the latch to permit relative movement of the parts from normal oppositely disposed position whilev still preventing further opening movement of the parta the bridge sliding'on the latch through the intermediation of'said lug when the parts arej moved in other than normal oppositely disposed position, whereby when the parts are lmoved into nor-v mal oppositely disposed positionA the said lug is caused to' again longitudinally abut the latch.

' 12."I`n a loose leaf binder, the combination with a two-part prong-holding device, of partially open locking means for the device including a bridge on one of the parts having a locking lip and` al latch on the other part engaged by said lip,

means urging the bridge toward said latch where-` by to engage said lip with said latchv when` the partsv are brought together, release means for said locking means manually operable to permitv further opening of the` prong holding device, the latch being adapted to yield resiliently in the direction of pull of Athe bridge V means is actuated, wherebyr to facilitate opening of the binderto fully open position from partially open position, said locking means including a de# tent movable by said release means and normally holding the latch fr om` yielding, said release means being also normally spring biased to place said detent in holding position.

13. In a loose leaf binder for carrying loose leaves in echelon with a margin of eachleaf in a series exposed, the combination with a two-part prong-holding device having a medial hinge and.

anormal'opposed position of the parts thereon,

said hinge comprising'longitudinally spaced apartl hinge components on one of the parts and longitudinally spaced apart hinge vcomponents on the other part, of means connecting the said hinge components of one of the device parts with thev hinge components of the other. `device part for angular relative opening and closingV movement of the said parts While permitting one of the said' parts to be shifted longitudinally `oi' the other when the release Isition when the parts are out of normal oppolease. means, said last mentioned means prohibpart in either direction from the'said'normal opl;

posed position of the said device parts without longitudinal movement of the said other part, to a distance whereby a leaf in said series may be shifted longitudinally of the binder a distance substantially equal to said exposed margin to insert or remove a leaf interrnedially` in said series, partially open locking means for the prong-holding device, said means permitting shifting when the parts are out of said normal opposed position to said normal position from the shifted position in either direction While releasably'limiting opening movement of the parts during the last mentioned shifting, and means for releasably holding the parts in said normal opposed position, said last mentioned means functioning positively when the binder is partially open.

14. In a loose` leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposed angularly opening prong-holdling parts, the combination of means for guiding one of the parts for movement longitudinally with respect to the other part in either direction from the normal oppositely disposed position of the parts without longitudinal movement of the other part, partially open locking mechanismv for the parts positively inhibiting further opening move,- ment of the parts when the parts are in said normal oppositely disposed position, manually operable release means for said mechanism, a spring urging the mechanismv into locking positely opposed position, and meansfor effecting sliding movement of the parts from out of oppositely disposed position to normal oppositely disposed position without operation of the said reiting longitudinal movement of the parts when in said normal oppositely disposed position but with the parts partially open.

15. In a loose-leaf binder of the class described, the combination. with a two-part prong-holding device, of a binder back supporting the toggle devicefor limited longitudinal relative movement.

of the parts, partially open locking means for the device including a. bridge on one of the parts having,` a locking lipI and a latch on the other part engaged by saidnlip," release means for said locking means the latch beingl adapted to yieldl resiliently in the direction of pull of the bridge when the release means is actuatedand a spring urging the bridge toward the latch..

16. In a loose leaifbinder for loose leaves having a plurality of equally spacedv perforations along onevrnarginv and having a pair of oppositely angularly opening prong holding parts adapted to carry thev leaves thereon,` the combination of.` means for guiding one of the parts for movement longitudinally with respect to the-other part a predetermined distance equall tothe cen' ter to center spacing of the-perforations in either direction from the normal oppositely disposed position of the parts, partially open locking mechanismA for the parts positively inhibitingi further opening movement of the partsfwhen the parts are in said-normal oppositely disposed position or out ofk said normal oppositely disposed position, manually operable release means for said mechanisml resilient means urgingthe mechanism into locking position when the parts are partially open, and means forfeffecting sliding movement. of the. partsirom out of oppositelydisposed position to normal oppositely disposed position without operation of the, said release means, said' last mentioned. means prohibiting longitudinal movement. of,

the partsV when they parts are partially open and in said normal oppositely disposed position.

17. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with a two-part prong-holding device having a medial hinge and a normal opposed position of the parts thereon, said hinge comprising longitudinally spaced apart hinge components on one of the parts and longitudinally spaced apart hinge components on the other part, each hinge component of one of the parts where adjacent a hinge component of the other part being also spaced substantially equally at each of its ends longitudinally from a hinge component of the other part when the parts are in normal opposed position, of a two-part binder back supporting the prong-holding device, each part of the binder back being hinged to a part of the prong-holding device against substantial longitudinal movement thereon, interconnected means on the parts for effecting movement of one of the back parts and its supported prong-holding part laterally of said medial hinge with respect to the other binder back part and its supported prong-holding part and also longitudinally a substantially equal distance in either direction from the said normal opposed position of the parts without longitudinal movement of the said other binder back part and its supported prong-holding device part, releasable partially open locking mechanism for the parts positively inhibiting further opening movement of the parts, and means for effecting longitudinal movement of the partsfrom out of normal oppositely disposed position to normal oppositely disposed position without release of said mechanism, said mechanism prohibiting longitudinal movement of the parts when in said normal oppositely disposed position but with the parts partially open.

18. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with a pair of angularly opening oppositely disposed prong-holding parts having a medial hinge therebetween, said hinge comprising longitudinally spaced apart hinge sleeves on one of the parts and aligned longitudinally spaced apart hinge sleeves on the other part, hinge rod means passing through said aligned hinge sleeves whereby one of the parts may be shifted a limited distance in one direction longitudinally of the other from the normal opposed position of the parts, partially angularly open locking means for the parts including a bridge on one of the parts and a latch device on the other part, said bridge carrying a lip engageable with said latch device, and interengaging means between the lip and latch device inhibiting said shifting when the parts are in normal oppositely disposed position and the binder back is in partially open position but permitting said shifting when the parts are out of normal oppositely disposed position, said lip and latch device also releasably limiting opening movement of the parts in both. shifted and unshifted positions.

19. In a loose leaf binder having a pair of oppositely disposed angularly opening prong-holding parts, a hinge arranged for guiding one of the parts for limited movement longitudinally with respect to the other to and from the normal oppositely disposed position of the parts, and means forholding said parts releasably in partially open position While the parts are in out of normal oppositely disposed position and for simultaneously effecting movement of the parts from out ofnormal oppositely disposed position of the parts to normal oppositely disposed position without releasing said means, whereby throughout said last mentioned movement the said parts are held from moving from partially open position to fully open position, that improvement therein wherein said means includes positive interengaging stop means on the parts brought into engagement by movement of the parts from out of normal oppositely disposed position to normal `oppositely disposed position for releasably prohibiting longitudinal movement of the parts when the parts are in normal oppositely disposed position but with the parts partially open.

ALFRED M. MARTIN. 

